Hello, and welcome back! Just when I was about to dive into the October books, I got a real treat at work yesterday: an advance copy of the new Diana Gabaldon! I was so happy, I could have cried. So, for the next day or two, I'll be buried in reading about Jamie and Claire, at last! But before I disappear into colonial America and drooling over Jamie, I have a few last September books to share with you.

First Love: Book Four of The Bridesmaid Chronicles (Signet) by Julie Kenner is here, this time with Julia Spinelli's wedding to Roman Sonntag finally arriving. Unless her father has his way and manages to stop the nuptials between his daughter and the son of his business foe. I didn't like this one any better than the first three in the series, unfortunately. There's little guessing, little worry that they'll actually reach their happy ending, other than the kvetching of the bride to be. Definitely not a keeper for me. Heck, this couple was already together, this story could've been told within the other three.

Almost Perfect (A Perfect Trilogy) (Signet Eclipse) by Julie Ortolon is next, with Maddy going back to the man whose heart she broke long ago. And Joe is none too pleased to see her, especially when he realizes his mother was in on it, hiring her to work at the family camp without telling him who she really is. This one was cute and light, though I was a little disappointed by the lack of steam in some portions of the story, considering how 'hot' their attraction is supposed to be. Nevertheless, it was a pleasant way to spend a few hours, and it's the first of a trilogy, with Maddy's two best friends coming up in the next couple months with their own stories. This one's earned three of Cupid's five arrows.

Unmasked (Signet) by Virginia Henley rounds things out this time, and I know there will be thrilled readers everywhere when they get this one in their hands. Velvet Cavendish definitely isn't planning to marry the man her father betrothed her to. But Greysteel has very different thoughts on the matter, and he has no intention of letting his woman go to the king or any other man. As always, there is just enough historical detail to set you firmly in the story, and more than enough steam to please the legion of fans of Ms. Henley. This one is going onto the keeper shelf and has earned four and a half arrows.